11 Facts About Droughts

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A “drought” is an extended period of deficient rainfall relative to the statistical multi-year average for a region. But because of the various ways it is measured, an objective drought definition has yet to be produced upon which everyone can agree.

The four types are: meteorological (lack of precipitation), agricultural, (lack of moisture in the soil where crops grow), hydrological (low levels of water in lakes and reservoirs), and socioeconomic (water shortages in drinking and running water).

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Meteorologists predict drought based on precipitation patterns, stream flow, and moisture of soil over long periods of time.

In the United States, droughts are most likely to occur in the Midwest and the South.

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In the United States, droughts can have major impact on agriculture, recreation and tourism, water supply, energy production, and transportation.

Nationwide losses from the US drought of 1988 exceeded $40 billion, more than the losses caused by Hurricane Andrew in 1992, the Mississippi River floods of 1993, and the San Francisco earthquake in 1989.

The effects of drought make it difficult to support food crops. A prolonged drought could lead to famine.

In the Horn of Africa, the 1984-1985 drought led to a famine, which killed 750,000 people.

In the United States, the West has experienced less rain over the past 50 years, as well as increases in the severity and length of droughts; this has been especially of concern in the Southwest.

As the climate heats up, droughts are expected to become more frequent and severe in some locations.